To all University of Lethbridge Faculty, Educators, and Instructors:

Hello, everyone! I am Kathryn, the University’s Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant. As some of you may know, I have been working in our Human Resources office to help provide staff and faculty with the tools they need to foster inclusive classrooms! Since June 2021, I have been working closely with university administration and faculty to identify areas where we can promote gender-inclusive policies and practice as well as sharing vital resources and information.

Our faculty play a vital role in fostering inclusive spaces! One way we can accomplish this goal is ensuring we use the correct name for our students. Some students may use a name that is different from their legal name, which is labeled a "preferred” name in our current system. Currently, student names are not displayed consistently across the many virtual systems that help the University work. Course attendance lists generated by Moodle will always show a student’s “preferred” name (if they have registered one), while the Bridge displays both legal and "preferred" names (Legal Name, Last Name, [Preferred Name]), which can cause faculty to accidentally use the wrong name for their students. While we work to address how our banner system displays student names, we encourage faculty to utilize Moodle to generate their student lists, which only shows a "preferred" name when applicable.

This issue impacts many students on campus who use a “preferred” name. For our international students who may be using a different name than is listed on their legal documents, the confusion around names on attendance sheets can lead to uncertainty around how to respectfully address our international students. For 2SLGBTQ+ students, and especially transgender and gender diverse students, this issue can lead to a student being addressed by a name they no longer which to be identified by, known as a “dead name.” Using a dead name to refer to a trans student can place them in a vulnerable position, forcefully ‘out’ them in the classroom, and cause undue emotional harm. This issue impacts many students in different ways and the U of L is working to ensure our Banner system is more inclusive and flexible regarding student names going forward.

By taking this small step, we can ensure all students who do not wish to go by their legal name are respected and welcome in our spaces. Students can register a chosen "preferred" name, request a “preferred” name for their student email account, or update their legal name. For more information on how to change a name or register a “preferred” name, visit: www.ulethbridge.ca/lgbtq

If you have any questions regarding student names, name changes, or fostering a gender-inclusive classroom, my inbox is open for any questions or for help finding resources and information on fostering an inclusive campus (kathryn.delucia@uleth.ca)

Sincerely,

Kathryn DeLucia-Burk [she/her]

Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Consultant

Office of Human Resources